Prepare for physical therapy school

Choose a major

Biology

Kinesiology

Psychology

Many of our students interested in physical therapy may double major in these since they help satisfy most prerequisites for physical therapy school. However, you may consider another major instead aligned with your interests.

Complete your prerequisite coursework

Typical prerequisites include:

Biology

Chemistry

Anatomy

Physiology

Physics

Psychology

Statistics

Social sciences courses

Not all physical therapy programs require the same prerequisites, so in your first or second year, you should meet with the Associate Director of Dimensions, who can help you research the specific prerequisites needed for your desired programs.

Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Most physical therapy schools require the GRE (administered by the Educational Testing Service) for admission. Dimensions provides resources and 1:1 professional support when you are preparing for the GRE, which consists of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections, and lasts approximately four hours.

Apply to Doctor of Physical Therapy programs

Before you begin to apply to physical therapy programs, meet with the Associate Director of Dimensions to plan out the steps necessary for applying.

You will also meet with Cornell’s Health Professions Committee. Cornell’s Health Professions Committee will review your application in its entirety and author a committee letter of recommendation.

If you’re interested in learning more about Cornell’s pre-physical therapy program, let us know.